title: Current status of retrograde intrarenal surgery for management of nephrolithiasis in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the current status of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for renal stones in children focusing on its indications, outcomes and success in the management of nephrolithiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1988 and 2009, a comprehensive PubMed/MEDLINE literature review on RIRS was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The available literature is limited and heterogeneous, skewed by favorable results on ureteral stone outcomes. However, recent case series report outcomes comparable to time-honored modalities: percutaneous nephrolithotomy and shock wave lithotripsy. Concerns about urinary tract damage are not substantiated by the yet available intermediate-term follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RIRS seems to be an effective modality in pediatric nephrolithiasis management. However, long-term outcomes and comparative prospective randomized studies are awaited.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Yaser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: El-Hout
authors.forename: Aziza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elnaeema
authors.forename: Walid A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Farhat